The Dickens Code

Shorthand was an important part of Dickens's toolkit as a writer, but although he used it extensively for parliamentary reporting, letter writing, and note taking, little is known about how he did so. The unique system that he developed, based upon Gurney's Brachygraphy, is complex and puzzling; Dickens himself called it a 'savage stenographic mystery'.

'The Dickens Code' project (2021-2023) was led by Dr Claire Wood (University of Leicester) in collaboration with Professor Hugo Bowles (University of Foggia, now University of Buckingham) and a range of partners. The Dickens Code was awarded ‘Research Project of the Year: Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences’ in the Times Higher Education Awards 2022.

To find out more and for additional updates and resources please visit Dickens Code.